Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Public Health Ministry of Thailand has reported that there have been 50 deaths from influenza A virus (H1N1) this year so far, and that the illness has already affected over 30,000 people across the country – a 36% increase in flu cases over last year’s statistics.

These alarming numbers have prompted the ministry to administer doses of free flu vaccines to Thai nationals in high risk groups, beginning from 1st May until 30th September. These shots will be administered nationwide, and a total of 3.4 million people considered to be most at risk will receive the preventative injection. The high risk groups have been identified as: patients suffering from chronic or congenital diseases like diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer and so on; the elderly; small children between 3 months and 2 years old; and women in any stage of pregnancy.

It should also be noted that studies have found an increased risk of influenza among those who come into contact with pigs, such as veterinarians or those whose jobs involve handling pork products, like meat processors or butchers. A group at significantly higher risk are those that work in factory farms, as diseases spread rapidly among pigs housed in these small, overlapping spaces. It is believed the transmission from swine to humans occurs mainly in swine farms.

The ministry recommends people undertake additional preventative measures against the illness, such as getting enough exercise, washing hands regularly, and wearing masks in public. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends managing stress, as this is a trigger for illnesses, as well as getting plenty of sleep, exercise, drinking enough water, and eating healthy, clean food. If you believe you are sick, stay home from work to avoid infecting others, and always cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Be aware that people infected with flu are most contagious during the first five days of illness, while children can remain contagious for up to ten days.

If you suffer from flu-like symptoms for more than 2 days and you have a fever, you are urged to seek medical help immediately.

The Ministry of Public Health has asked Thai health offices around the country to strengthen up their preventative measures against the respiratory syndrome coronavirus after a man reportedly died from the fatal illness.

The Ministry has been on high alert after a case was reported in neighbouring Malaysia, where a man had previously travelled to Saudi Arabia where it is believed he picked up the virus. After developing a cold on 4th April, the man stayed ill and eventually died on 13th April.

Thailand is keeping a close eye on all patients in their hospitals, and have warn the public to be cautious and aware of flu-like symptoms. If they feel they have a cold or the flu for more than two days, they are urged to seek professional medical treatment.

So far, no cases of coronavirus, also known as MERS, have been reported in the country.

The highest number of sufferers come from Saudi Arabia, followed by other countries which are: Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Tunisia, Oman, and Kuwait. From there, the disease has spread to Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.

The World Health Organization reports that there have already been 92 confirmed deaths this year.

Much of northern Thailand as far south as Saraburi lay under a heavy blanket of haze and smoke Friday from hundreds of fires, mostly set on purpose by farmers in Thailand and Myanmar.

NOTE: The farmers certainly contribute to the problem, but the major culprit is the ‘shash and burn’ loggers!

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The crisis areas were spotted in the far North, the lower North and upper Central provinces. Saraburi, where the air quality index (AQI) touched a dangerous 104 at noon Friday, had an air pollution index of 128 which, roughly translated, means “sensitive groups such as children, older people and asthmatics should stay indoors.” (Hey, that’s me!)

Any AQI over 100 is dangerous to health, according to the Pollution Control Department, which maintains a website with information from around the country.

NOTE: The World Health Organazation, the EU, and the U.S.; says the number is 50, NOT 100!

The most dangerous place in Thailand Friday afternoon was Mae Hong Son, where the AQI in the “pristine province” was 219. The index says an AQI this high is “an emergency condition. The entire population is more likely to be affected.”

Texan Bobby Ray Carter Jr, 51, was stabbed with a sharpened iron bar in a fight outside the Long Horn Saloon in Ao Nang, Krabi, early yesterday.

Three musicians, who were playing at the bar before a dispute broke out with the American and his son, Adam, 27, have confessed and have been charged with murder, the Commander of Krabi Provincial Police, Major General Nandhadet Yoinon, said today.

”The leader told the audience at midnight that the next song would be the last song,”the superintendent said today.

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”A Thai customer asked for a song and the band played that song. Then the Americans asked for one more song, ‘Hotel California,’ ” the Superintendent said.”One of them pulled out some dollars and said ‘This is for Hotel California.’

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But the band had FINISHED its set for the night.

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”They put down their instruments and left the bar.”Words were exchanged inside the bar as the musicians left, the Superintendent said.”When the American group of three men and two women went outside, they found the musicians sitting not far away, just relaxing.”The American, Adam, said something like ‘What the FUCK’ then threw a punch at one of the musicians,” the superintendent said.

Cases of HIV and syphilis among gay men in Bangkok are on the rise, according to data released by US and Thai health authorities on Friday.

SYPHILLIS cases among gay men more than DOUBLED from 5 percent in 2005 to 12.5 percent in 2011, said the report in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Meanwhile, the annual prevalence of HIV also rose “SIGNIFICANTLY,” from 24.5 percent in 2005 to 29.4 percent in 2011 among men who have sex with men (MSM), it said.

“These data show ongoing and increasing epidemics of HIV and syphilis infection among MSM in Bangkok,” said the report. (yeah, you think?)

He noted that 3 years ago there were only 300 cases for the entire year.

Note: And, we are still very early into the rainy season.

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RECAP:

2010 – 300 cases

2013 (Jan through May) 1,200 cases

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Dengue is endemic in more than 110 countries and infects between 50 to 390 million people worldwide a year. Most people recover without any ongoing problems and the mortality rate is less than 1% for those who seek treatment; it is 1–5% without treatment.

“This year will be tougher than ever,” he said. He said that the Public Health Department has set up a war room to tackle the ballooning situation. “All 25 districts will join in working together to fight the outbreak. It has reached epidemic levels in the province. This year’s outbreak has seen four variants of the disease from two species of mosquito found in Chiang Mai. We will implement a set of measures to control the outbreak,” Dr. Surasingh said.

People are encouraged to remove all possible breeding sites; do not allow standing water around the house, empty potted plants of water. The mosquito bites during the day so people should wear repellent in the day time as well.

Mayuree Yoktree, the head of Social Development and Human Security for Chiang Mai recently told the press that teenage pregnancy in Chiang Mai was an issue she felt should be addressed. She explained that most Thai teens from the ages of around 13-15 are already having sexual relationships.

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She went on to say that the family was of the utmost importance in how the children developed and how their sexual habits are formed, as well as many external factors too in society.

According to Mayuree pregnancy in under 20 year olds is at 15% of the female population in the north and northeast.

She feels that young girls are not ready for children, not physically, mentally, or emotionally. And this will just lead to more societal problems.

She proposes to launch campaigns to strengthen families and also to warn about the consequence of early pregnancy.

A Ranong Public Health official yesterday urged the province’s childcare facilities, in particular 13 centres caring for 3,000 Myanmar pre-schoolers along the border, to watch out for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

Dr Thongchai Kiratihattayakorn said Thai authorities were worried because HFMD outbreaks had been reported in many provinces as well as in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, where 40,000 patients and 18 deaths were found.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a human syndrome caused by intestinal viruses of the picornaviridae family. The most common strains causing HFMD are coxsackieA virus and enterovirus 71 (EV-71)

HFMD usually affects infants and children, and is quite common. It is moderately contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces of an infected person. It typically occurs in small epidemics in nursery schools or kindergartens, usually during the summer and autumn months. The usual incubation period is 3–7 days.

It is less common in adults, but those with immune deficiencies are very susceptible.

HFMD is not to be confused with foot-and-mouth disease (also called hoof-and-mouth disease), which is a separate disease affecting sheep, cattle, and swine (both are caused by members of the picornaviridae family, but are not trans-communicable between humans and livestock).

Dr Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said Chiang Mai Welfare School students became sick after eating donated eggs that were boiled three days previously and not reheated before they were consumed, allowing the bacteria to develop.

On Sunday evening, about 900 students of the school, located in Mae Rim district, ate chilli curry and donated boiled eggs at the cafeteria.

After the meal, 75 of the students became ill with headaches, high fever, nausea and diarrhoea.

The number of sick students increased to 460 yesterday, health authorities said.

Of them, 290 are recovering at home, 123 are still in nine hospitals, and eight students are critically ill.

Chiang Mai Municipality has set up a campaign in an effort to decrease the prevalence of the aedes genus mosquito which is the cause of hemorrhagic fever.

May 2012 at Thapae Gate, Tassanai Buranupakorn, the Chiang Mai Mayor along with his team led activities campaigning for hemorrhagic fever prevention. Tassanai informed the public that Chiang Mai lost quite a few citizens to the fever in the past few years.

Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.

In a small proportion of cases the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.

People can prevent mosquito bites by wearing clothing that fully covers the skin, using mosquito netting while resting, and/or the application of insect repellent (DEET) being the most effective).

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PERSONAL THOUGHT:

‘wearing clothing that fully covers the skin’ is probably a very good idea, but it’s DAMNED HOT here, and is not terribly practical.

But repellants works very well. It’s sold everywhere, and is ‘dirt cheap’.

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This could be an ‘Urban Myth’, but it’s my understanding the Aedes mosquito is VERY TINY, and are considered ‘day time fliers’, which means you should use repellant in the daytime, as well as the evening and after dark.